Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Truthout has a new post on the "impending" indictment of Karl Rove defending their story from Friday that has the left all atwitter for the past 5 days. This new post comes exactly 4 days, 15 hours, 7 minutes and 7 seconds after they first reported that Karl had been given 24 hours (since revised to 24 "business" hours) to turn tail, after already having been indicted (on a double secret sealed indictment).

Guess that hasn't happened...

So what new news do they have for us?

For the past few days, we have endured non-stop attacks on our credibility, and we have fought hard to defend our reputation. In addition, we have worked around the clock to provide additional information to our readership. People want to know more about this, and our job is to keep them informed. We take that responsibility seriously.

Translation: "Man, we thought we'd be hailed as the next Woodward and Bernstein, but everybody wanted more details to our facts, especially when things didn't pan out like we said they would."

Here's what we now know: I spoke personally yesterday with both Rove's spokesman Mark Corallo and Rove's attorney Robert Luskin. Both men categorically denied all key points of our recent reporting on this issue. Both said, "Rove is not a target," "Rove did not inform the White House late last week that he would be indicted," and "Rove has not been indicted." Further, both Corallo and Luskin denied Leopold's account of events at the offices of Patton Boggs, the law firm that represents Karl Rove. They specifically stated again that no such meeting ever occurred, that Fitzgerald was not there, that Rove was not there, and that a major meeting did not take place. Both men were unequivocal on that point.

Translation: Those lying liars!

We can now report, however, that we have additional, independent sources that refute those denials by Corallo and Luskin. While we had only our own sources to work with in the beginning, additional sources have now come forward and offered corroboration to us.

Translation: See! We told you they are lying liars! We've gotten corroboration! From multiple sources! Super secret, smart, unbiased, factual sources. Sources that know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried! Where the missing socks from the dryer go! Sources that know where Kerry's magic hat is! Honest!

We have been contacted by at least three reporters from mainstream media - network level organizations - who shared with us off-the-record confirmation and moral support. When we asked why they were not going public with this information, in each case they expressed frustration with superiors who would not allow it.

Wow.. Mary Mapes (of CBS Rathergate fame) was a "reporter" for a "network level organization wasn't she? Pardon me, if I hold out for some more concrete evidence than "I heard that too" (that phrase seems familiar) and a "Go get em Tiger".

So other than some other liberals in the media perhaps holding a grudge against the administration what else did you learn?

We also learned the following: The events at the office building that houses the law firm of Patton Boggs were not in fact a very well-guarded secret. Despite denials by Corallo and Luskin, there was intense activity at the office building. In fact, the building was staked out by at least two major network news crews. Further, although Corallo and Luskin are not prepared to talk about what happened in the offices of Patton Boggs, others emerging from the building were, both on background and off-the-record. There were a lot of talkers, and they confirmed our accounts. We do have more information, but want additional confirmation before going public with it.

So the news media was staking out the building, but I don't see a tape on the CBS evening news with Fitz walking out of the office of Patton Boggs do I? And no mention if the others emerging from the building were attorneys involved in the 14 hour negotiation or just the cleaning staff.

The additional information is probably how the Secret Service was there to protect Karl from the Bush Family Evil Empire. You know people have died for less than flipping on the Bush or Cheny. Or the number of cute brown puppies that were electrocuted for entertainment purposes around the board room table during lulls in the negotiation.

So what about the 24 hour timelimit? Its way past 24 hours, 24 business hours, the last episode of 24, etc.

THE 24 HOUR THING

We reported that Patrick Fitzgerald had, "instructed one of the attorneys to tell Rove that he has 24 business hours to get his affairs in order...." That does not mean that at the end of that 24-hour period, Fitzgerald is obliged to hold a press conference and make an announcement. It just means that he has given Rove a 24-hour formal notification. Fitzgerald is not obliged to make an announcement at any point; he does so at his own discretion, and not if it compromises his case. So we're all stuck waiting here. Grab some coffee.

So basically, we'll maintain our story was correct (or fake but accurate) until we turn blue in the face, since we all know we may never know if Rove has been secretly indicted....